What Area Code is 314? Area code 314 serves St. Louis, MO, and the surrounding areas. It is the only area code that serves the area. 314 is one of the original 86 area codes created by AT&T and the Bell System in 1947. It originally served eastern Missouri including St. Louis. 314 was split in 1996 creating the need to update some of the phone numbers to area code 573, and again in 1999 to create area code 636.
What are Area Codes?
The arrangement and allocation of telephone numbers relating to certain locations are known as area codes. It is not the entire number, but rather a part of it. The figures are made up of various combinations of prefixes, followed by the actual number of subscribers.
The North American Numbering Plan Administration is responsible for assigning and arranging numbers throughout the United States, its territories, the Caribbean, and Canada (NANPA). They allocate prefixes and codes to regions and make all necessary changes if there is a high volume of phone calls in a given area.
They have a fundamental format in which the numbers are organised in the following manner. NPA-NXX-XXXX or (NPA) NXX-XXXX. In this series, the alphabets have various codings.
NPA:
The area codes are represented by this. In 1940, the area code system was established. The Bell System had split the areas into “Number Plan Areas” or NPAs, which were designed by AT&T. They’re also known as area codes, and the 470 area code is one of them. Although this method was designed in the 1940s, it was not fully implemented until the 1950s. Some area codes are only used for specific purposes.
The area code 800, for example, is designated for free calls. The caller does not pay the charges in this arrangement; rather, the person who is called is the charge bearer. It’s also possible to say that some area codes are used while others aren’t.
NXX:
The exchange number, or prefix, comes after the area code. These are the phone numbers, whether they are cell phones or landlines. Different telephone carriers in an area codebook this. It is not required to use all of the exchanges or prefixes.
Subscriber:
This is the part of the phone number that the subscriber or number holder uses. The personal number of a cellphone or a landline might be described in this way. It could also include things like a wireless phone system, the internet, and fax machines. Each area code, NPA, or prefix, NXX, can have up to ten thousand subscriber numbers anticipated. Currently, there are 1,699,140,000 people in the country.
A maximum of four numbers can be assigned to each individual. This is based on data from censuses in the United States and Canada, as well as the World Bank. A person’s phone number is no longer confined to just one, but rather a variety of numbers for various sorts of telecommunication systems.
History of area codes:
When the number of customers increased, area codes became mandatory. The area codes were established by AT&T in the 1940s, and they went into force in 1947. This was done by the North America Numbering Plan, which was created for the United States and Canada. There were stars with a single code, which were reassigned with a three-digit code that included a 0 in the middle. Florida, for example, had code 305, while Connecticut had code 203.
At the time, 86 area codes were assigned. Another numbering system was used for states and provinces with more than one area code, with the middle digit being 1. The codes for sections of California, for example, were 916 and 213. In addition, New York had two codes: 518 and 212.
According to the population, the third digit in the code was. With a larger population density, lower numbers were given, while with a lower population, higher numbers were given. New York City had code 212, while the surrounding areas had code 914. The reason for this was due to the rotary dial phone sets, as previously stated. As a result, when there was a lot of call traffic, lower numbers were dialed quickly, and vice versa.
Where is St. Louis?
St. Louis is the second-largest city in Missouri and the second-largest city in the United States. It is located at the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers’ confluence.
The city proper had a population of 301,578, but the bi-state metropolitan region, which stretches into Illinois, has an expected population of over 2.8 million in 2020, making it Missouri’s largest metropolitan area, Illinois’ second-largest, and the United States’ 20th-largest.
The area was a regional center of Native American Mississippian culture before European colonization. French fur traders Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent, Pierre Laclède, and Auguste Chouteau built St. Louis on February 14, 1764, and named it after King Louis IX of France.
The area was given to Spain in 1764, following France’s loss in the Seven Years’ War. It was retroceded to France in 1800, which sold it to the United States three years later as part of the Louisiana Purchase; the city was thus the embarkation destination for the Corps of Discovery on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
St. Louis grew into a significant Mississippi River port in the nineteenth century, and it was the country’s fourth-largest city from 1870 through the 1920 census. In 1877, it broke away from St. Louis County, becoming an independent city with its political boundaries.
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition and the Summer Olympics were held there in 1904. Metropolitan St. Louis, a “Gamma” global city with a metropolitan GDP of over $160 billion in 2017, has a broad economy with strengths in service, manufacturing, commerce, transportation, and tourism. There are eight Fortune 500 firms based there.
Ameren Corporation, Peabody Energy, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Anheuser-Busch, Wells Fargo Advisors, Stifel Financial, Spire, Inc., MilliporeSigma, FleishmanHillard, Square, Inc., United States Bank, Anthem BlueCross and Blue Shield, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, United States Department of Agriculture, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Centene Corporation, and Express Script. Saint Louis University and Washington University in St. Louis are two major research universities in the city.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital is part of the Washington University Medical Center, which is located in the Central West End neighborhood.
The St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball, the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League, St. Louis City SC of Major League Soccer, which is expected to begin to play in 2023, and the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL are the four professional sports teams in St. Louis.
The 630-foot (192-meter) Gateway Arch in Downtown St. Louis, the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum are among the city’s prominent sites.
St. Louis was the embarkation destination for the Corps of Discovery on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The area was a regional center of Native American Mississippian culture before European colonization. Metropolitan St. Louis has a broad economy with strengths in service, manufacturing, commerce, transportation, and tourism.
Why was there a need for area codes?
In the past, long-distance calls were made with the assistance of an operator. In 1947, AT&T introduced a nationwide system of assigning area codes to aid in the direct dialing of long-distance calls. There was no need for an operator in this case. Some protocols were required for the numbering scheme. Because of technological concerns, the initial digit cannot be a zero or a one to avoid confusion with the operator.
The second digit should be 0 if the area code is for a province or state. It should be 1 if it is for a portion of the province or state. Back ago, there was a distinct approach to assigning area codes. There were locations where the population was dense, and the call volume was high. There were rotary phones with round dials at the time, and making a call required rotating the dial all the way around.
The lower digits were easier to dial because they were near to the dial. To make dialing easier, area codes with lower digits were assigned to areas with higher populations. For example, New York’s area code was 212 (2+1+2), Los Angeles’ was 213, and Chicago’s was 312. All of these areas were densely populated. The number of people in rural areas was increased to 605 South Dakota.
What was done when the demand for numbers increased?
In 1990, the use of cell phones was growing in popularity, and with it came an unexpected increase in the demand for new phone numbers. Companies now need new and additional prefixes to meet this demand. With the increased use of the internet, DSL, and dial-up, as well as other services such as cable, internet providers requested their prefixes. At the time, less dense population splits were used for less densely populated areas, whereas overlays were used for more densely populated areas.
Area Code 314:
In nearby St. Louis County, area code 314 covers St. Louis and most of its inner-ring suburbs. It is surrounded to the west by area code 636, which serves the west, south, and north suburbs of St. Louis. 314 borders area code 618, which serves southern Illinois and much of Metro East, to the east across the Mississippi River.
314 was one of the first area codes established in October 1947. It used to cover the majority of Missouri’s eastern portion, from the Illinois border to Jefferson City. It ran along the Mississippi River for nearly the entire length of the state.
Most of the western, northern, and southern areas were assigned to area code 573 on January 7, 1996, leaving 314 to serve the majority of the Missouri side of the St. Louis metropolitan region.
573 was created to be a long-term solution. However, due to the rise of cell phones, fax machines, and pagers in the St. Louis center, 314 was close to exhaustion again within two years. As a result, on May 22, 1999, when area code 636 was assigned to St. Louis’ outer suburbs and surrounding rural areas, 314 was reduced to its current extent. Before number portability, area code 314 was used for all cell phones on the Missouri side of the St. Louis area.
The Missouri Public Service Commission announced plans to add area code 557 as an overlay to area code 314 in 2000, however, the commission postponed the implementation date (May 5, 2002) indefinitely after determining that there was no immediate need for additional phone numbers.
Number pooling and other conservation methods helped to avoid the necessity for an overlay right away. Area code 314 is one of the few that hasn’t been overlaying in a city. Area code 557 will go into effect on August 12, 2022, more than 20 years after that announcement, as the available numbers in 314 are practically gone.
Before October 20, 2021, telephone numbers with central office code 988 were assigned to area code 314. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline authorized 988 as a calling code nationwide in 2020, causing a conflict for exchanges that allow seven-digit dialing. As a result, on October 24, 2021, this area code will be converted to ten-digit dialing.
314 was one of the first area codes established in October 1947. It covers St. Louis and most of its inner-ring suburbs. Area code 557 will go into effect on August 12, 2022, as 314’s available phone numbers are practically gone. The area code will be converted to ten-digit dialing in 2021.
Table of Top 2 Counties in Area Code 314:
| County | Total Population | % of 314 | % of County |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | 998,954 | 83% | 65% |
| St. Louis, MO | 319,294 | 16% | 100% |
Splits and overlays:
There was a need for more than one area code as the population of the area grew. This necessitated the splitting of the region’s area codes to meet the needs of the consumers. As a result, consumers in the inhabited region were utilizing the old numbers allotted to them, confusing. A new area code was issued to less densely inhabited areas in an attempt to free up additional phone numbers.
Individuals couldn’t keep up with the changes, and their updated business cards, directories, personal cards, and letterheads were still causing difficulties, as people dialed incorrect numbers. With the 917 area code, overlays were first deployed in 1992.
It increases the number of people in a certain area while only serving one geographical site. When this system was implemented, people had to dial 7 digits for local calls and the area code with the 7 digits for long-distance calls, making it a 10-digit number.
With the adoption of area code 301 in 1997, the dialing method for even local calls became 10-digits, which sparked popular outrage. However, overlays are currently working in both Canada and the United States, and there are no longer divides save in a few locations.
Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, Memphis, Louisville, Jacksonville, El Paso, and Detroit are the cities in question. In big cities, the seven digits are not usable.
Why are overlays so confusing?
Splits are simple phenomena in which a network is split in half to meet the information load. Because overlays are a network that is established on top of an existing network, they generate misunderstanding. As a result, the users are perplexed by the two networks cooperating and then attempting to operate.
Similarly, when there was a load of so many numbers in telecommunications, overlays were implemented in densely inhabited areas. Existing area codes were not eliminated; instead, new ones were given. Since a single place may have many area codes, ten-digit dialing is required. It will be typical to find two residences with different numbers next to one other. A single office can even have separate fax, landline, and cell phone numbers.
Advantages of overlays:
Overlays are useful because they allow virtual computers to move about without being constrained by physical boundaries. Data can be routed from one path to several others with ease. On the overlay system, file sharing, data routing, putting protocols in place, and developing them are all simple.
With a solution, overlays had revolutionized the telephony system. Many people objected to this arrangement due to the difficulty of dealing with multiple numbers for different codes in the same region or office. This was a resolution that also resulted in cost savings.
Disadvantages of overlays:
Because several tasks are going on in the process, the networks are significantly more complicated. The many software layers and processes are to blame for this. The procedures are carried out with a lot of force. Furthermore, if the virtual networks change, the physical networks are not particularly adept at adjusting to those changes.
Difference between split and overlays:
Split is a single-code area code that deals with a single geographic location, whereas overlays are many codes for a single location. In a split, rate center (which is related to billing) is crucial because different codes can be assigned to customers based on their rate center or billing. Consumers will receive distinct area codes for different numbers in overlays. Area codes in a building can differ depending on the location.
For local calls, splits allow for 7-digit dialing. The area codes in overlays are used for both local and long-distance calls. When a new area code is assigned in a split, the number on all business cards, stationery, and other materials must be updated. The new area code must be communicated to everyone. The entire dialing technique is modified with overlays, which necessitates reprogramming the automatic dialing to 10-digits instead of the old 7-digits. Overlays can’t diminish the volume of a geographical location, but splits can.
Special numbers for special purposes:
911 is a specific and universal number for emergency circumstances. It can be used for ambulance, police, and fire services. This number is completely free of charge, and it can be dialed from either a mobile phone or a payphone. The 411 number should be dialed if you require assistance with telephone directories.
This number can also be used for commercials, with the caller initially hearing the recorded advertisement before being provided the phone number.
The number 800 is a toll-free number, which means the caller is not responsible for any costs associated with the call, but the person who is being called is. Although certain hotels and motels may charge for calls, consumers should be aware that this prefix is free. The 900 number is the one that has a per-minute charge.
Before charging for a call, a company offering travel or weather information informs the consumer of the charges and gives them the option of hanging up.
They charge for toll-free numbers, long-distance calls, and local calls while they are at the hotel. The hotel card has a list of all expenses that should be thoroughly reviewed before making a call. If such a card is not present, you should contact the front desk and reception so that you do not incur any further expenses.
Cellular services:
In the United States, cellular services are widely used. This service is widely offered in suburban and urban areas, as well as on roads and motorways. In isolated locations, rural areas, natural attractions, and national parks, these services may not be very efficient. There are now four significant enterprises functioning in the nation.
Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint/Nextel, and AT&T are the four major carriers. Aside from them, there are other local service providers. These services can be prepaid, with the firm selling the service to a customer based on their location or country.
The fees must be paid in advance on a monthly or per-minute basis. Prepaid services are often confined to their or a few locations, therefore before traveling to another region, double-check if the service is available in the destination region. In the United States, there are two types of cellphone providers.
CDMA is used by Verizon and Sprint/Nextel (Code Division Multiple Access). GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) or SIM chips are used by T-Mobile and AT&T. The bands used in the United States differ from those used in Europe.
The frequencies utilized in the United States, Mexico, and Canada are 800/850 and 1900 MHz, respectively. The bands 900 and 1800 MHz are used in Europe. Customers should ensure that a GSM cellphone purchased from any store in the United States is unlocked. Some companies sell their phones for a low price or at a discount. These phones are tied to a certain network and can only be used on that network.
The software of these locked phones contains coded parts. These locks can be disabled using the software. A unique cable, hardware, or a mix of software may be more effective than a single software. These situations will necessitate the hiring of a specially trained individual or the incurring of additional costs.
Purchasing SIM cards online is the most cost-effective option. There will be some Simple Calling SIM cards available that appear to be cost-effective but charge a connection fee for calls. Consumers should be cautious that while many companies advertise low prices, they contain hidden fees for calls or services. In the United States, all incoming and outgoing calls are subject to costs. Cellphone and landline calls are both the same price. However, only a few businesses impose call limits, with charges beginning after one minute.
Calling cards:
Long-distance and international calls may be more expensive on residential phones, cell phones, or hotel phones. With calling cards, you may make them inexpensive. These cards are commonly available at gas stations, liqu0r stores, medicine stores, and micro grocers. They’re also available in airports, convention centers, and some hotels, however, they could only work there. It should be double-checked first.
Other calling cards provide discounts to certain countries. This card may be sold in stores that cater to a specific ethnicity. The card has a list of phone numbers, one of which is likely to be the 800 number. It comes with a PIN that is hidden under a cover. The number will appear after rubbing it off, and it can be used for further processing.
Number exhaustion:
North America is the world’s second-largest continent. This attracts a large portion of the population. As the land of opportunity, America’s cities are now bursting at the seams, and with technology expanding the wings of telecommunication, the perspective has shifted. People who have access to cell phones, landlines, fax machines, and the internet have increased their demands on telecommunication authorities.
This has put a strain on the authorities as well, and they are making constant modifications to accommodate. Making a phone call is no longer straightforward. Number fatigue is thought to be the cause. This is a word used to describe the ever-increasing demand for phone numbers.
After 1995, 138 new area codes were introduced, bringing the total number of area codes in the United States to 344. The authorities are making every attempt to accommodate the demands, but this has caused a great deal of misunderstanding among users.
The area codes of more advanced places, such as Boston or New York, are mixed up with the old ones. The number of communication devices is growing, as is the demand for them.
To the point where, in the past, a local call only required a seven-digit number, but now the identical call requires a ten- or eleven-digit number. Some folks may also experience a jumble of numbers. Companies find it easier to expand the number of employees rather than improve their entire system.
Many individuals also fear that the burdens of numbers will continue to rise and that all numbers will be sold out within a decade. The authorities will have no choice but to increase the digits as a result. With a simple formula of adding a single digit to the beginning of the original number, Asian and European countries have coped with their number exhaustion. The Tate Gallery in London, for example, had a phone number of 887-8008. The number has been changed to 7887-8008.
The United States is being chastised for using the same technique to deal with the problem. The explanation for this could be that countries like France abandoned the eight-digit code system. They had gone from a seven-digit numbering scheme to a ten-digit system. Furthermore, the number allotment for America is significantly larger than the estimated 500 million numbers, giving each man, woman, or well-connected child two numbers.
As a result, many people may believe that converting to an eight-digit numbering system is easier than allocating area codes and raising the number size to 10.
Yes, it may appear to be straightforward, but several system adjustments make it more difficult. For call routing, this would necessitate new switching equipment and software reprogramming. For inter-office communication, a new technology called PBX, which is an automated switchboard with various other features, will be required.
Not to mention the fact that all of these changes will cost around $75 million. The total may exceed $150 million. Yes, dialing ten numbers, even for local calls, is inconvenient for many individuals. The situation differs depending on the population and is very dependent on it.
For less populated areas, the geographical place would simply be divided into two sections, each with its own set of codes. The overlay strategy was used in areas with a higher population. This includes adding extra area codes to the ones that were already in place.
New York is an outlier because they did not embrace the two-digit system, instead of filing a case for rejecting it and continuing to utilize the seven-digit method. Surprisingly, the topic of area codes also turned to seasons.
People in the Simpsons were portrayed to be split by the introduction of a new area code and the main character Homer Simpson’s vows to construct and wage war after becoming mayor.
The usage of area codes and ten-digit numbers has steadily eliminated the necessity for operators. Not just in the United States, but also in the Caribbean and Canada, the method has been widely embraced.
Given the needs, the telecommunications industry will have to migrate to eleven or twelve digits with time. This will cost them a lot of money, but that is unavoidable. Many critics believe that people’s lives have become entangled with statistics, which will continue to be perplexing.
As the demands increase, the situation will become more perplexing. The government is also attempting to create mechanisms that will meet the needs of the people and make them happy.
Some folks may also experience a jumble of phone numbers. Given the needs, the telecommunications industry will have to migrate to eleven or twelve digits. This will cost them a lot of money, but that is unavoidable.
Counties that Use 314 Area Code:
- Franklin County
- Jefferson County
- Saint Charles County
- Saint Francois County
- Saint Louis County
- Saint Louis City County
All Cities & Towns that Use 314 Area Code:
- Blackwell
- Bridgeton
- Chesterfield
- Earth City
- Florissant
- Glencoe
- Hazelwood
- Kimmswick
- Luebbering
- Maryland Heights
- Saint Ann
- Saint Charles
- Saint Louis
Frequently Asked Questions:
The following are some of the most frequently asked questions concerning this keyword:
1-Where is the 314 area code?
Area code 314 serves St. Louis, MO, and the surrounding areas. It is the only area code that serves the area.
2- What does 314 mean in St Louis?
Radio One St. Louis invited St. Louisans to gather at Art Hill for a self-portrait on March 14, also known as 314 Day, in 2014. March 14 is celebrated nationally as Pi Day in honor of the mathematical constant π.
3-Where is the 341 area code?
The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) includes area codes 510 and 341 that serve much of the East Bay in California. They include parts of Contra Costa and western Alameda counties, as well as Oakland, but exclude Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and Sunol.
4- Who started 314 Day?
Terrell “Dip” Evans is one of 314 Day’s original co-founders. He was working on the radio and doing marketing for some of the city’s hottest clubs in 2006. He felt that the city deserved its day to honor all he admires about it. Then he noticed the date: March 14th.
5- What are the area codes for St. Louis Missouri?
In nearby St. Louis County, area code 314 covers St. Louis and most of its inner-ring suburbs. It is surrounded to the west by area code 636, which serves the west, south, and north suburbs of St. Louis.
6- What is the meaning of 314 days?
Pi Day is celebrated around the country on March 14, but in St. Louis, it’s also known as 314 Day, when locals celebrate the Lou and its businesses. STLMade, a Greater St. Louis project, is dedicated a whole week to celebrating the city this year.
7- Is 314 a toll-free number?
The number 314 is not a toll-free number. Charges may be imposed by the company or business from which you purchased communications services.
8-Where is area 508 located?
Worcester County, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, MetroWest, Nantucket, and the South Coast are all part of the area code 508 and 774 numbering plan (Massachusetts).
9- What state is the 413 area code?
Area code 413 (LATA code 126) is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for the western third of Massachusetts.
10- What city is area code 616?
Area code 616 is the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) area code for Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan. It also includes Holland, Greenville, and Grand Haven. It includes all of Kent and Ottawa counties, and parts of neighboring counties, including the western and central parts of Ionia County.
11- What area is the 917 area code?
While the 212 area code conjures up memories of a Manhattan high-rise, the 917 area code is a little more classic, a little more old-school. It runs from The Bronx to Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island, serving all five boroughs of New York City.
12- What area code is 213 belong to?
The 213 area code is one of the local phone number prefixes serviced by RingCentral, and it covers the central business district and downtown area of Los Angeles, California.
Area code 314 serves St. Louis, MO, and the surrounding areas. It is the only area code that serves the area. Technology has brought people closer together by bridging all gaps. Years of dedication and hard work have culminated in the results we see today. The contributions of countless people’s innovations and inventions made all of this possible. Let us all respect that and happily serve them. The North American Numbering Strategy Authority put their heads together to come up with the best practice plan for people’s convenience, which was never easy to withstand the strain of tremendous communications demands.
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